The Influence of Mountains on Climate

地形对天气和气候的三个最重要的影响是：山地风和重力波，地形降水和热力环流。 对于这三种现象，一些基本的物理元素是理解的，但仍然存在严重的困难，在连接正式的理论与真实的世界。 在这三个主题中，问题是相同的。 这些理论还不够先进，无法与完整的数值模拟和观测结果联系起来。 如果没有这种联系，科学进步就会放缓。 近几个月来，首席研究员在所有三个领域开发了新的分析方法，有望为中尺度山区气象学提供更坚实的理论基础。 扩展和测试这些理论方法对现场数据和数值模型是这个当前项目的目标。 首席研究员将攻击三个主题：* 山波和边界层（BL）：一个新的理论方法的BL和山波的相互作用将被调查。 目的是了解边界层如何控制复杂地形中波浪、波浪阻力和波浪动量通量、地形降水和地面风场的产生。* 地形降水：利用卫星资料、同位素资料和野外项目的特殊资料，将检验一种新的地形降水理论，并在必要时加以推广。* 热循环：一个新的昼夜热循环理论正在发展中，包括旋转和剪切。 这一理论将在海风和山区的常规表面压力数据进行测试。 在这项研究的过程中，首席研究员将有助于地形诱导转子实验。智力优点：该方法不同于其他组的理论分析和新的观测技术的重点。 当成功的理论得以发展时，新知识的传播就会加速。 将强调大气动力学在区域气候问题上的应用。 更广泛的影响：通过推进大气物理学的知识，这项研究将有助于天气和气候预报的数值模型开发和测试。 这项工作还将对广泛的地球科学领域产生影响，如区域气候、古气候、古测高、冰川学、景观演变、中层大气动力学、示踪剂扩散和风能。 学生将从参与现场，实验室和数据分析活动中获得经验和动力。

The three most important orographic influences on weather and climate are: mountain induced winds and gravity waves, orographic precipitation and thermal circulations. For these three phenomena, some of the basic physical elements are understood but there remain serious difficulties in connecting formal theory with the real world. In all three subjects, the problem is the same. The theories have not advanced enough to connect with results from full numerical modeling and observation. Without this connection, scientific progress has slowed. In recent months, new analytical approaches in all three areas have been developed by the Principal Investigator; promising to provide a more solid theoretical foundation for mesoscale mountain meteorology. The extension and testing of these theoretical approaches against field data and numerical models is a goal of this current project. The Principal Investigator will attack three topics:* Mountain waves and Boundary Layers (BL): A new theoretical approach to the interactions of BLs and mountain waves will be investigated. The goal is to understand how BLs control the generation of waves, wave drag and wave momentum flux, orographic precipitation, and surface winds fields in complex terrain. * Orographic precipitation: Using a combination of satellite data, isotope data and special data from field projects, a new theory of orographic precipitation will tested and, if necessary, extended. * Thermal circulations: A new theory of diurnal thermal circulations is being developed; including rotation and shear. This theory will be tested against conventional surface pressure data in sea breeze and mountain regions. In the course of this research the Principal Investigator will contribute to the Terrain Induced Rotor Experiment.Intellectual Merit: The approach differs from that of other groups by its emphasis on theoretical analysis and new observational techniques. When successful theories can be developed, the dissemination of new knowledge is accelerated. Applications of atmospheric dynamics to questions of regional climate will be emphasized. Broader Impacts: By advancing knowledge of atmospheric physics, the research will contribute to numerical model development and testing for weather and climate forecasting. The work will also have an impact on broad areas of geoscience such as regional climate, paleo-climate, paleoaltimetry, glaciology, landscape evolution, middle atmosphere dynamics, tracer dispersal, and wind energy. Students will gain experience and motivation from participation in field, laboratory and data analysis activities.